Counterpoint Research says global high-end smartphone market (wholesale price ≥
$600) saw volumes rise 5% YoY in 1H 2026 and climbed to a record 29% share of
total sales, up from 25% a year earlier. Rising component costs hit low- and
mid-end models harder; high-end vendors preserved demand by sustaining higher
margins and cutting promotions. The report flags an accelerated shift toward
premiumization as mid-range Android price increases narrow the gap with
discounted flagships, making upgrades to flagship models more attractive. Brand
detail: Apple grew 9% YoY to hold a 65% share of the high-end segment, with
stable demand for base iPhone 17 models; Samsung rose 3% YoY to an 18% share,
with Galaxy S26 Ultra variants accounting for more than half of its high-end
sales.
